“Max is that kind of guy who’s always there for me, always in touch, always giving his advice, or I can call him anytime,” world No. 2 said.

Richard PagliaroNovember 11, 20262 minute read

By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Photo credit: Phil Walter/Getty

A familiar former world No. 1 face has been missing from Aryna Sabalenka’s coaching box at these WTA Finals.

Today, Sabalenka confirmed she’s split with former doubles world No. 1 Max Mirnyi—and hinted of a possible coaching hire to come.

The man nicknamed “Beast of Belarus” for his fearless and fearsome serve-and-volley style joined world No. 1 Sabalenka’s coaching team at the 2025 Wimbledon and was working to sharpen her transition game and net skills.

“Yeah, I mean, we stopped officially working together, but Max is that kind of guy who’s always there for me, always in touch, always giving his advice, or I can call him anytime,” Sabalenka told the media in Indian Wells after losing 11 games in a row in a 6-4, 6-0 thrashing to Mirra Andreeva today. “So
officially we stopped working, but maybe, I don’t know, next year, in a couple years, we’re gonna get back together.”

Anton Dubrov remains Sabalenka’s long-time coach. The 28-year-old Belarusian, who lost both the Australian Open and US Open finals and her No. 1 ranking to rival Elena Rybakina, suggested she will add another coach to her team.

“But for now, there is like some changes in my team. Hopefully, for better future.”

Asked to address potential changes, Sabalenka alluded to hiring an additional coach, replying: “I mean, hitting partner, I changed since, I don’t know, maybe Europe. And then new physio, and potentially an extra coach.”